Poland has been one of Ukraines biggest supporters since the beginning of the Russia-Ukraine war that started February 2022. Poland, who has borders with Ukraine, fears that if Russia successfully annexes Ukraine, it leaves its borders vulnerable to the community state. Supplying Ukraine with over 4.6 Billion dollars since the start of the war, Poland has been the main initiator in NATO to supply their neighboring country with ammunition, humanitarian aid, and most recently F-16 fighter jets. However, as a small country with limited resources, they have put in place a grain export ban from Ukraine to prevent the saturation of their economy for farmers causing criticism from their Ukraine allies.
As a warring country, Ukraine is trying to be as profitable in their countries main export, gain. On Tuesday, Ukraine sent one of their largest shipments of grain (3,000 metric tons of wheat) to Romanian territory on cargo ships. While Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia currently still hold bans on grain exports, they allowed the passage of the grain through the Dead Sea. These countries have these bans to protect their farmers from a surge in exports from Ukraine. If all the grain was introduced into their markers, the price of grain would be unstable and not sustainable for their economy. After Poland introduced new bans on Ukraine grain products, Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticized Poland saying their "political theater" was in reality helping Russia. Poland's Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki responded telling President Zelenskyy "never to insult Poles again" saying Poland will no longer supply Ukraine weapons amid the dispute.
This shift has caused many to question the two counties' relationship with each other as Poland was one of Ukraines largest supporters. This shift has allowed Russia to capitalize on propaganda saying that the west is divided and tension filled. This media misinformation has created doubts in neighboring countries who were pressured into supporting Ukraine from the West. Countries in the EU that don't feel comfortable with Ukraine joining NATO in the middle of a war have started to push back on support from the West criticizing them for throwing so much resources into a country that's not in an alliance with them. Article 5 mechanism of NATO stating if any country is under attack, all allied countries consider that an act of war against all members. Many countries fear that Ukraine will use this mechanism to bring NATO and Russia closer to a world war, thus blocking Ukraine's NATO accession.
Regardless of what happens next, it will be important to follow the updates on relations between Poland and Ukraine and understand the context in which the alliance is continued or not continued. It's important to understand how the US is involved with NATO and who makes decisions when it comes to things like funding, war, and treaties. While the President can make decisions on treaties, Congress has the power to declare war, and the executive branch (department of defense) has power to fund other nations. Separation of powers allows not one person to have control over everything and allows big decisions like going to war and funding to go through more people. While Poland protecting its farmers is the best thing for their country and economy, it’s important to question if it's worth breaking the European Commission's ruling allowing Ukraine grain to be exported. This has resulted in Ukraine suing Poland, Hungary and Slovakia for imposing their own bans.
Sources:
https://www.cnn.com/2023/09/23/europe/poland-ukraine-europe-relations-putin-intl/index.html
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-61759692
https://www.politico.eu/article/ukraine-will-sue-poland-hungary-and-slovakia-over-agricultural-bans/
https://www.cnbc.com/2023/09/21/poland-says-it-will-no-longer-supply-kyiv-with-weapons.html
https://www.economist.com/the-economist-explains/2023/09/21/why-poland-is-halting-its-supply-of-weapons-to-ukraine
2 comments:
I like how you addressed both points of view about Poland trying to protect their own economy and farmers and Ukraine's point of view that Poland's actions are unintentionally favorable to Russia.
In Poland's situation, it seems like either way is a tough situation that can't please everybody, but ultimately they need to take care of their own needs first. It remains clear they are supporters of Ukraine with money directed towards the war effort
I think that Poland is only trying to keep thier people and economy safe and as you said Poland has been one of Ukraine's biggest supporters. They have also sent tons of aid inlcuding f-16 fighter jets something that the United States was very hesitant to do. I see why Ukraine would think that Poland's ban of grain exports would favor Russia but I don't see why Ukraine would sue them knowing they aren't in a situation where something like that wiuld benefit them. Ukraine has been trying to join NATO since 2008 and not every nation in NATO wants to allow Ukraine to join, especially now that its in war. Ukraine should try to keep as many supporters as possible and not push them away.
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/13/us/politics/nato-ukraine.html
Post a Comment